Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-16
THE NEW COTTON MILL.
The Increase In Business Activity 1t will
Bring to the City.

AUGUSTA, Me-. SEPT Is, 1887.
To the Editor of the Journal:
Permit me through the columns of your
paper to correct a Misrepresentation corcern-
ing the relative positions of the CITY of Agus-
ia and the Edwards Manufacturing Co. on the
question now before the public. 1t is said
that this is the second time the Edwards Co.
has asked for an exemption and it will .'come
again and ask for another. Perhaps a brief
history Of the proceedings to this time will
afford the best proof of the error of such a
criticism.
For nearly two years the expediency of
building an additional mill has been
urged upon the Edwards Company.
just before the annual meeting OF 1886
written argument on the subject was ad-
dressed to the Company In the spring of
1887 at an interview in Boston the subject
was freely discussed. At the first meeting of
the managers of the Augusta Board of
Trade the subject of developing the business
of the city was before the Board, and it ap-
peared obvious that the readiest and most
practicable mode of increase was through
our great water power.
1t was proposed to address the Edwards Co.,
on the subject and in considering the expe.
diency of offering some inducement, practi.
people, was discussed and after very careful
consideration was unanimously agreed to.
A letter was then addressed to the Presi-
dent and directors of the Edwards Co, ear
nestly requesting the erection of a mill and
expressing the opinion that the citizens of
Augusta would make certain the valuation of
the company's property for a term of years.
In consequence of such request and such
assurances, the subject was put into the call
of the recent annual meeting of the Edwards
Co., and after q debate of over an hour on the
representations of Augusta gentlemen present
that the citizens would propose to fix
valuation, and in consideration thereof, it
was voted to build an additional mill when
such valuation had been advised.
1t will be seen that the Edwards Co. have
not asked for a concession but that the
Augusta Board of Trade, believing that it
correctly apprehended public sentiment, first
made the offer to the Edwards Co.
In taking the course described the Board
of Trade proceeded on the ground that new
mill would be of benefit to the city and to secure
it by giving consideration would be good
bargain for the city to make; that the city
did not offer a gratuity, nor the Edwards Co.
ask one, but that it was contract of mutual
benefit to the contracting parties; and that
on this ground alone, would any citizen be
justified in voting for the proposition.
If this view of the Board of Trade is cor
rect, and it is good trade to get 10000 to
10000 spindle mill now it will be good bar
gain to get another large mill in the same
way whenever the Edwards Co. can be in
duced to build one, so that the looming
again." as it is called, is an event to be hope
fully anticipated rather than deplored.
1t is further said, that the company may
build houses on its property in competition
with other owners of such property in the
city. The company never builds houses
unless forced to in order TO supply comfort
able homes, at easy rents for their employees.
Such houses as the company own do not
average over S. 90 month rent, and are
not of character to compete with other
house building in town. The company
would be very glad to have these houses
built by some one else. If the new mill is
built, more houses must be built and the
building of them will constitute a part of
that increased business activity which it is
expected the new mill will bring about.